Sophie Turner has voiced her concerns for the young actors cast in HBO’s new Harry Potter TV series. Having joined Game of Thrones at the age of 14, Turner shared insights on the challenges facing the child actors portraying Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
She discussed how social media negatively affected her during her early career.
“When I started on Game of Thrones, social media was just gaining traction, so I had a couple of peaceful years before it hit. Its impact on my mental health was profound, more than I can express. It nearly broke me numerous times,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.
Regarding the new Harry Potter cast, Turner advised them to avoid social media.
“I see the kids about to star in the new Harry Potter and I just want to hug them and say, ‘It’s going to be okay, but stay away from social media,'” she stated.
Emphasizing the need for “grounding” amidst newfound fame, she recommended the children stay home and spend quality time with friends and family.
HBO launched its search for the Harry Potter cast with an open call auditioning 32,000 children. The lead roles and other key characters have been cast.
Newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will play young Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley, respectively. The cast also includes Lox Pratt (Draco Malfoy), Rory Wilmot (Neville Longbottom), Amos Kitson (Dudley Dursley), Alessia Leoni (Parvati Patil), and Leo Earley (Seamus Finnigan), among others.
Filming has started, with the show slated for a 2027 release.
